It seems like there is a new ios update every other week. (If you own an Apple iPhone, you know what I’m talking about.) And if you’re like me, you probably have your software updates set to automatic so you don’t have to manually do it each and every time a new one comes out.
I thought leaving my phone on autopilot was all good — until I saw a video about some of the new “improvements” that came with ios 17 (and newer.) And while some of these settings may be useful for some, they also present security concerns for others. The main ones to watch for are:
• Contact, Photos, & File Sharing through NameDrop
This feature allows you to share contacts, photos and files with other iPhone users just by bringing the iPhones close to one another. If you worry about your data privacy in public settings, this is something you might want to turn off, as it could be triggered by a stranger’s iPhone in crowded spaces.
Turn off by going to Settings → General → AirDrop. You’ll see a section that says: Start Sharing By. Under this there is an option that reads: Bringing Devices Together. Toggle it to the left and you’re done.
• Siri Easy Activation
If you’re not a Siri fan, and you don’t want to feel like your phone is listening to your every word, you can turn off Siri Easy Activation. This feature allows you to simply say the word, “Siri,” or “Hey Siri” to trigger it to come on. Turn it off by going to Settings → Siri & Search → Listen for. Pick your poison from here. Select, “off” if you don’t want to use it communicate, or choose one of the other options that best suits you.
• Temporary Password Reset
This new setting allows people who either can’t remember their passcodes, or change their passcodes often. It gives the user 72 hours after setting up a new passcode to continue to use the old one. This may sound great for some, but for others who are trying to keep their information secret from intruders who know how to access your data via an old passcode, it’s not a smart one to keep on. Turn it off by going to Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Temporary Passcode Reset → Expire Previous Passcode Now → Expire Now.
While it’s true that our data is occasionally breached through websites and financial/educational institutions that don’t take the proper precautions to secure our information, we can try our best to keep our information secure on our own devices.
